Syria conflict requires political solution, churches hear

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AP

Human rights advocate Dr Haytham Al-Manna has told churches that violence is not the answer to the conflict in Syria.

Dr Al-Manna, head of the National Coordination Body for Democratic Change in Syria, was at the World Council of Churches (WCC) in Geneva for a conference exploring a peaceful, negotiated solution to the conflict.

"Violence begets violence. It is not possible for Syrians to overcome conflict without a political solution, strong democratic institutions and demilitarisation of the country," he said.

More than 60,000 people have died in the conflict, according to United Nations estimates.

Dr Al-Manna said the situation in Syria was "very fragile" and that the availability of weapons had proliferated across the country.

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"Yet it is through non-violent means only that we can hope for radical change and peace," he said.